Paris Saint-Germain have expressed an interest in signing Barcelona defender Emerson, who is currently on loan at Real Betis.
According to Estadio Deportivo, Paris Saint-Germain have set their sights on Emerson. The French giants are scouring the market for a new right-back, with the Real Betis defender emerging as one of the potential options.
Regarded as one of the rising stars in La Liga, Emerson is set to return to FC Barcelona in the summer, following the end of his ongoing temporary spell at Real Betis. And it is believed that the Catalans would be open to doing business with PSG, perhaps due to the summer arrival of Sergino Dest.
PSG are primarily interested in securing the services of Emerson after he returns to Barca in the summer. However, an unlikely scenario could also see the Brazilian move to the French capital in January, in which case both Barcelona and Real Betis will have to split the transfer fee.
The French champions could be forced to make a more lucrative bid, which won’t be surprising given their current woes in the full-back department. Especially in the right-back position, first-choice Alessandro Florenzi is on loan only until the end of the season while Colin Dagba has failed to appease the coaching staff.
It leaves a massive void in the said position – something new coach Mauricio Pochettino would be keen on addressing. And that is where Emerson could come into the fray, having become quite a prospect in La Liga with his consistent performances for Real Betis.
As for FC Barcelona, there is a fair argument of keeping Emerson at the club next season given the fact that the Brazilian offers a more physical alternative to Dest’s more technically-oriented game. But, at the same time, they could use the funds generated from a potential sale to plot move for more viable targets in the market.
A centre-back, in particular, is high on Barcelona’s radar as they prepare for life without Gerard Pique. The club has already been linked with various defenders this season including Hoffenheim youngster Melayro Bogarde. So it will be interesting to see how the potential departure of someone like Emerson could affect their transfer plans, either in January or in the upcoming summer window.